Chennai: While explaining Brexit, British Deputy High Commissioner Bharat Joshi said the United Kingdom’s relationship with India will grow after it leaves the European Union.
The United Kingdom’s prospective withdrawal from European Union is called as Brexit. “India is fundamentally important to us and we see our relationship with India growing after Brexit, not just in trade and prosperity but also tackling in some of the global challenges such as terrorism,” he told reporters here on Tuesday.
Mr Joshi, who is completing five years in September 2018 as Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai, will be replaced by Jeremy Pilmore-Bedford, currently serving as Consul General in Atlanta in the US.
“I think still more work to be done around explaining to India what Brexit means to the United Kingdom. It isn’t about the UK becoming more in isolation or withdrawing from the rest of world. It is very much like us becoming a global Britain,” he said.
“There is obviously uncertainty for companies either investing in the UK or looking to invest because our future trading relationship with the rest of Europe is yet to be determined. That will become clear over the next few months,” he said adding that the UK will retain same trading arrangements until March 2020.
On trade and investment, he said, “We have seen 15 per cent growth in trade in both directions and the trade between two countries worth '1.6 lakh crore.”
The UK has issued 5.5 lakh visas to Indian citizens last year. “There is an increase of 11 per cent in the tourist visas and 27 per cent increase in student visas. We welcome Indians who want visit the UK for holidays or visiting family members or on business purpose,” he said.
Due to tough regulations, the student visas decreased in the last few years. But in 2016-17 it was increased by 27 per cent to 14,500. “We have streamlined student visas and now getting quality students,” Mr Joshi said.
“The UK is issuing around 60 per cent skilled labour visas to the Indian citizens which are more than what we give to the rest of the world combined,” he noted.
On extraditing fugitive businessmen like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi he said, “We are absolutely committed to implementing money laundering rules. Like in India, we have the legal process for extradition. The enforcement authorities work very closely with the governments, but the final decision rests with the courts.” When asked about protests against Sterlite Industries in Thoothukudi, owned by UK’s Vedanta Resources, he said the issue is currently under arbitration.
